The non-profit was founded in the U.S in 1976 and the Toronto organization started in 1988, when a small group of dedicated volunteers and corporate sponsors set a goal of building one or two homes a year. To date, they have surpassed that goal, building 250 homes in the city, helping those struggling below the poverty line.

Meet Santa!

The Gingerbread Build attracted over 1,000 people last year and Habitat for Humanity Toronto hope that this year will be the best one yet. Both your children and your inner child will get to decorate a gingerbread house, listen to some great music, enjoy treats, hot chocolate, prizes and rub shoulders with the big man himself, Santa.

A Good Cause

“Funds raised from the Gingerbread Build will go directly to building more safe and decent Habitat homes for hardworking families living in need,” says Habitat for Humanity Toronto. Families can purchase a gingerbread house kit ahead of time online for $50. Kits can also be purchased to be donated to families living in women and children’s shelters in the city.

The Details

Thinking this fits the bill for what to do in Toronto this holiday season? Here’s the scoop.

Other Ways to Give

Can’t make it out, but would still love to give to Habitat for Humanity this Holiday Season? You can buy a Habitat gift in someone’s name online and choose from a screwdriver for $16 all the way up to a roof for $5000. You can donate a product or service they might need, or you can add your name to the volunteer list now and check “do good” off of your New Year’s resolution list!

Shopping With a Cause – it’s What to do in Toronto

Why not hit one of the ReStores for some of your shopping too? You can find all sorts or architectural treasures, furniture, fabric, even house plants or a pool table and all of the money goes back to covering the costs of running this fabulous non-profit. The items are donated or are overstock from suppliers and are 50-80% off the original price. There are five ReStores in Toronto now and if you enjoy a good treasure hunt, I’ll meet you there and we can race. Shopping with a cause is what to do in Toronto this holiday season.

We hope to see you at the Gingerbread Build on December 7th and 8th, 2013 and try to get a least a few jelly beans on the house before they get eaten – something that doesn’t seem to ever happen for us!

Rebecca is a Toronto born and bred mom of two young boys. She is always exploring the city looking for fun things to do, eat and see with them, without losing her sanity or breaking the bank. She blogs at Brain-Dead Mom.